Impact of a social marketing campaign promoting dark-green leafy vegetables and eggs in central Java, Indonesia

In order to work towards further reduction of vitamin A deficiency in centr al Java, Indonesia, a social marketing campaign promoting eggs and dark-gre en leafy, vegetables was initiated ill March 1996 The nutritional surveilla nce system (December 1995-December 1996) found the following. The campaign' s messages were well noticed. Consumption of at least one egg ill the past week increased from 80% to 92% in mothers and from 78% to 92% in children 1 2-36 months old. It increased in all socio-economic groups and was independ ent of ownership of chickens, Most eggs had been purchased. The quantity of vegetables prepared increased from 93 to 111 g/person daily and most was p urchased. Vitamin A intake increased from 335 to 371 RE/d for mothers and f rom 130 to 160 RE/d for children. Serum retinol levels increased after the start of the campaign, and were related to egg consumption and vitamin A in take. Because I, data were collected in such a way that respondents were no t aware of the link between data collected and the campaign, and 2. vitamin A status increased and was related to increased consumption of eggs and vi tamin A intake, we conclude that the social marketing campaign was successf ul.